CARINA ZHANG
Bites and Sips🌸
Digital Print Fabric Design 2023
Inspired by desserts at Chinese tea parties, this project explores the
aesthetics and humanity of Chinese tea party culture, as well as the
potential of fabric print design to evoke people’s memory of food and the
moment of sharing happiness. By combining different colors and abstract
shapes, I want to make a visually “delicious” piece of print design with
cultural value. The family tea party is one of my favorite traditions. During
reunions, friend visits, or a random weekend, my family set up the tea
table with seasonal tea and desserts.
The designs of the desserts carry culturally significant auspicious messages.
Therefore, traditional desserts express different wishes to loved ones and eating
the dessert strengthens one’s hopes in the heart. The piece should facilitate
conversations (e.g. people can point at a certain motif and chat about the story
behind that dessert or how the dessert tastes). The playful aspect of the piece
will make people value sharing sweet tastes and enjoy time with family and
friends.
The aesthetic of the final piece is delightful, ornate, colorful in a humble way.
While staying loyal to the original shapes and colors of the desserts, I will
use abstract shapes and painterly marks to illustrate the subjects, finding a
balance between representation and abstraction. In the prints, you can find
moments of little crumbs travelling around the table, or even tiny animals
being poured out of teapots. Final prints will be used for, but not limited to,
a tea room interior. The repeats can also be used in various ways such as
apparel (hanfu/qipao), handkerchief, and gift wrapping.
